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About the Trust

The Aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

To protect, conserve and improve the route of the Wilts & Berks and North Wilts Canals, and branches, for the benefit of the community and environment, with the ultimate goal of restoring a continuous navigable waterway linking the Kennet & Avon canal near Melksham, the River Thames near Abingdon, and the Thames & Severn canal near Cricklade.

Background to the Trust

The Trust was originally called the Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity Group and was formed in 1977. The Trust's current membership stands at more than 2000 people and businesses.

A county boundary change in 1974 transferred the eastern section of the canal from Berkshire to Oxfordshire.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is a member of the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership which consists of all the Local Authorities on the route, British Waterways, Environment Agency , and other key stakeholders.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is a registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.

General Information

The Trust volunteers have campaigned and made possible the project that is today restoring the Wilts & Berks Canal for all to enjoy. Many have worked hard since the organisation was founded in 1977 and the Trust acknowledges the work of some its key members in our Roll of Honour.

Membership of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is open to all.

Twinned Organisations

The Wilts and Berks Canal Partnership is pleased to be twinned with the Nantes a Brest canal. Further information can be found on the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership website

Patron

President

Dr David Fletcher M.B.E

Our Vice Presidents

Neil Rumbol (founder member)Roger Crapper

Project Overview

The challenge of restoring the Wilts & Berks Canal is that it has been abandoned for nearly 100 years. The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, and its predecessor the Amenity Group, have re-discovered the canal and its structures and have set about the task of full restoration. Considering the passage of time, it is surprising that much of the rural part of the canal still exists. With a moderate amount of clearance it can, and is being brought back to its original standard. Ownership of the canal passed to adjacent landowners when the canal was abandoned. The Trust has bought and leased some sections and aims to complete this process for the 60miles of the canal as a priority . The Trust always wishes to promote a good relationship with the current owners and therefore would ask anyone wishing to explore the canal line, to check that there are public rights of access. When restored the Trust aims to have maximum accessibility for all on the towpath.

The structures are a bigger challenge as, where the exist, they are mostly derelict. Major road crossing are likely to be the most expensive part of restoration. Parts of the route have been built on in the Cricklade, Melksham, Abingdon and Swindon and alternatives to the historic line have been planned in these locations.

The Trust is a member of a the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership which embraces all the Local Authorities along the route, Statutory Authorities and other interested organisations who work in partnership to achieve the goal of full restoration.

Plans for Full Restoration by 2025

The Trust intends to have a major part of the canal restored by 2020, with full restoration by 2025. The strategy agreed with Partners is to complete significant sections of the restoration as 'stand alone' parts of the waterway. The Partnership further aims to initially complete the towpath walk followed by restoration of the canal and its structures.

The Partnership in conjunction with the Trust has prioritised the plan to re-connect the canal to the national network. Four Flagship schemes are being put in action at the junctions